Summary
An editorial written by experts in the British Journal of Sports Medicine asserts that although physical activity almost certainly does have a role to play in the prevention of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and dementia, it has little impact on obesity. They point out that it is the dietary source of excess calories (in the form of excess sugar and carbohydrates) which is more important in obesity prevention / control.
Reference
Exercise ‘not key to obesity fight’. London: BBC Health News, April 23rd 2015.
This relates to:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Malhotra, A. Noakes, T. [and] Phinney, S. (2015). Editorial: It is time to bust the myth of physical inactivity and obesity: you cannot outrun a bad diet. British Journal of Sports Medicine. April 22nd 2015.
Review of the Benefits of Physical Activity
Possibly of background interest, regarding the health benefits of physical activity in the prevention of – and / or the improvements expected for – a wide range of chronic (long-term) conditions, and scale of these improvements:
Reference
Exercise: the miracle cure and the role of the doctor in promoting it. London: Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, February 2015.